2 more Navy Piers

This is a city with no East Side. Lake Michigan is God’s great gift to Chicago.

One hundred years old this year, Navy Pier is the city’s top tourist draw. With this kind of success, why should it be the only one? How about new Baby Piers on the South and North Sides — perhaps in Lincoln and Jackson parks?

They could offer special attractions not possible when there is only one pier. There could be water transportation from each to the others. Tourists could spend hours in Chicago without ever setting foot on land. The South Side pier could tie in with the Obama presidential library. On the North Side, perhaps this pier could link to some greater celebration of the other Illinois president, Lincoln.

Excursion boats could also run from the South Side pier to the Indiana Dunes and from the North Side pier to Illinois Beach State Park.

During weekday rush hours, the piers might double as commuter hubs. Fast boats could ferry workers from the north and south Baby Piers to Navy Pier with a new CTA connection to Michigan Avenue and the Loop.